INTRODUCTION
Buying new property invokes a lot of excitement in people. In many cases, it is symbolic of a new start in a person’s life, and they wish to make the most out of a property. You take note of multiple factors before deciding on which property to buy, such as locality, price, and features. But what we found out was that one of the most important ones usually gets overlooked: the internal health and functionality of the property itself. There are numerous ways this exciting venture can go wrong, and this is where pre-purchase inspectors are of utmost help. This article will help you understand a few aspects of buying Australian properties that might go South and how such inspectors can make your experience much better.
MOST COMMON PROPERTY PROBLEMS
Most surveys taken in Australia about the problems people face with their properties have had the following ten common problems that we have tabulated for you:
While most of these problems can easily be corrected, it would take a professional to identify and rectify them in due time before you have invested heavily in the property.
WHAT IS A PRE-PURCHASE BUILDING INSPECTION?
Before we proceed with the checklist of things that property inspectors do, let us first understand what a pre-purchase building inspection is. It is simply an assessment of your property’s condition performed by qualified professionals and concluded in an accurate report. It covers a holistic range of services, such as the identification of problems and estimating repair costs. Inspectors check everything accessible to them, such as your roof, walls, and immediate exterior. Depending upon the company they’re associated with, inspectors would also check for pest damage for a little extra charge. We would generally recommend this to everyone for pests like termites, which can wreak havoc in your beautiful property if left unchecked.
WHY DO I NEED A BUILDING INSPECTION REPORT?
We cannot emphasize the importance of a building inspection more. It is relevant to all kinds of properties you may own: from domestic residence to office premises and industrial areas. The inspection report has a lot of practical benefits, such as:
- It serves as a significant factor in deciding whether or not you want to buy a certain property.
- It gives you the power of knowing all problems of a property before you have invested in it.
- It gives you the chance to negotiate the same property for a lower cost from the buyers.
- You can do a thorough cost-benefit of the property analysis based on this report.
- It provides you with personalized advice from skilled associates regarding all repairs that need to be done on the property site.
- It gives you an outline of all things you need to be wary of in the future.
- It gives you the chance to contact qualified professionals who would assist you in doing all the repair work.
THINGS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Yes, an inspection report is a great idea for all those looking to buy a property. For the sake of clarity, however, you must also know that the report has certain limitations as well. Its primary role is to identify any major problems on the site that are clearly visible at the time of the inspection. While an inspection report is fairly comprehensive, these are a few aspects of your property that do not find a way into the report:
- Areas of the property that could not be inspected
- Matters outside the inspector’s subject of expertise
- Minor defects (you may ask them verbally)
A building inspector would not usually check things such as the appliances in your home, watering systems, alarm and intercom systems, carpets, footings, television reception, air conditioning, concealed electrical or damp proofing, swimming pools, chimneys, etc., unless requested/paid for otherwise. What does this report include, then? Let’s head over to the next section of this article to know everything there is about pre-purchase inspection and how it saves a lot of things that could go wrong for your property!
WHAT DO INSPECTORS CHECK DURING AN INSPECTION?
A pre-purchase building inspection is meant primarily for reporting major structural defects. It focuses less on the quality of minor issues as stated above. That said, it is the prerogative of each state to specify what may or may not be included in the report after a building is inspected. The list we have compiled for you below is of the things that are common to most inspections across the country:
1. Structural Issues and Regulation
One of the biggest concerns you have after purchasing a new property is the potential construction work you will have to get done before it is fully functional. A building inspection report will lay the blueprint for you on this front by thoroughly assessing every major structure on the property to confirm its condition, strength, and utility. During the consultation, all inspectors work according to legislation. In Australia, buildings must conform to the Building Codes and Standards of Australia, meaning that after the purchase of a property, you are personally liable to bear the cost of keeping it up to the country’s formal regulating policy. You can read more about this here: https://www.abcb.gov.au.
2. Highlight Necessary Repairs and Budgeting
A building inspector, through the report they compile, will allow you the space to create your property exactly as you’d like. They will look into all aspects that you’d additionally requested (for instance, checking for termite colonies) and report all the anomalies they find. Additionally, the report helps you connect with relevant builders and tradespeople who will be able to assist you with an expected budget.
3. Electrical Wiring and Smoke Alarm Tests
Safety measures in a property of any kind are absolutely essential, and any discrepancies with the wiring, smoke alarm, and water systems or emergency needs could cause fires and result in massive damages. A pre-purchase building inspector would check all accessible wires and test smoke alarm systems to ensure that they function perfectly and come to save lives in the unfortunate event of a fire mishap.
4. Identification Of Unsafe Areas
An inspector will also report all the areas of your property that they found to be unsafe. For example, they might point out the presence of asbestos, missing balustrades, and cracks in walls that could signify a pest infection. A pre-purchase property inspection will help you make a more informed choice about the property you intend to buy.
5. Assessment of Immediate Surroundings
A building inspection is complete and thorough in itself. It includes much more than just the interior four walls of your property. Structures on the outside, such as gardens, patios, and sheds, must also be inspected by a professional, for they are equally likely to cause problems for you after purchase if they are left unchecked. The existence and construction of such outdoor structures in Australia are largely dictated by local authorities that may not fall within the purview of your property. In cases where they might need to be taken down due to unsatisfactory conditions, it may put you off. To avoid such situations, it is always a good idea to get all relevant structures inside and outside your property inspected.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY PROPERTY INSPECTED?
While it depends on the size of the property, it shouldn’t take more than two hours to complete a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Kindly note that most companies would preferably want a few days’ notices before providing their services to you. The report would be provided after the entire inspection is done, depending on the company; some may take just 24 hours, the other a few working days.
CONCLUSION
A pre-purchase inspection is a great idea, and we highly recommend it for everyone looking to buy new property. It clarifies what you might be getting into – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is important to know such details to make a much more informed choice about your investment and what responsibilities you shoulder with that. It is always better to be equipped with the knowledge of your property rather than surprises catching you off guard!